Fort Stewart to add background checks for visitors

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) -- Visitors to Fort Stewart will soon have to go through a background check if they don't have a valid Department of Defense identification card.

The Savannah Morning News reports the new policy is set to begin Tuesday at the coastal Georgia Army post. Army Maj. Ann Meredith, the provost marshal for Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, says it brings the installation in line with others around the country and overseas.

The new policy adds a national crime database background check. Meredith said the checks took an average of about eight minutes to complete in testing over the last month.

Anyone convicted of major felonies, as well as some others, will be denied access. Those denied access will be allowed to submit a waiver requesting access.

Fort Gordon confirms it uses background checks as one of its tools to secure the installation.

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